Analysis of Linguistic Pattern “X Xue” based on Constructional Grammar: Transforming from Grammatical Construction to Rhetorical Construction

Abstract

Focusing on the trending phenomenon on the internet, this study has generalized the different uses of “X Xue” from a perspective of Constructional Grammar. All data collected from Chinese mainstream social platforms went through a constructional analysis, including constructional meaning, syntactic structure and pragmatic use. According to the study, the linguistic pattern “X Xue” has witnessed a more diversified use. Compared with the traditional use of “X Xue”, the online practice of this phrase implies a sense of dismiss or self-mockery. To explain the change, Liu’s model of grammatical construction and rhetorical construction is employed in the research. In addition, the cognitive mechanisms for the variation of the phrase are also discussed in the essay. Study shows that there are two kinds of projection playing important roles in the process of such transformation. In general, the study thoroughly depicted the motion of “X Xue” in a continuum from grammatical construction to rhetorical one, and tried to explain the potential cognitive motivations behind the development.